Patent Application
20120174873
The present invention relates to an application device for treating the teats of milk producing animals with a liquid. Typical milk producing animals that can be treated in this way are cows, sheep, buffalo and goats.
In order to maintain the health and welfare of milk producing animals, as well as the quality of their milk, it is very important that their udders and teats are kept clean and healthy. In particular, the bacteria that cause mastitis infections must not be allowed to proliferate and contaminate the milk harvesting equipment, thus risking the transfer of pathogens from animal to animal. To guard against this problem it is well known to treat the teats of animals with a liquid, such as a liquid disinfectant or a washing solution, either immediately before and/or immediately after milking. In the case of a pre-milking treatment application the aim is primarily to remove foreign matter and kill the bacteria present on the outside of the teat before milking. In the case of a post-milking treatment, it has been found beneficial to apply a sanitising solution and in some instances also a barrier liquid to provide a protective film that remains on the teat for some time and that seals and protects the teat end from mastitis causing bacteria. To ensure that such treatments are effective at controlling the bacteria, it is crucial that each teat is entirely coated with the liquid, and this requires the dairyman to maintain a high level of skill whilst operating the treatment process; unfortunately, for some methods of treatment this becomes arduous, especially in cases where the animal herd size is large.
In the prior art, spray bottles using a simple pump and trigger have been employed, as have more sophisticated systems such as those using vacuum operated automated spray devices, pumped or pressurised spray delivery systems and back-pack spray type devices using a piston-type squeeze gun. In the latter two cases, the operator can vary the amount of liquid being applied and manually direct it to the udder and its depending teats. It is also known to treat teats with a liquid by dipping them into a rigid cup, commonly known as a “dip cup”, filled with the treatment liquid.
The term “dip cup” as used herein shall refer to the cup-shaped component of the application device that, in use, contains an amount of treatment liquid into which a teat is dipped.
Commercially known dip cups, are made in one of two forms. Either they are made as a one-part component, for example machined from a single block of material or injection moulded as a single component, or they are made as a two-or more part component, for example having an inner cup shaped portion that is surrounded by an outer casing. The present invention encompasses both forms of dip cup, and because of this, the term “cup portion” as used herein, refers to the single-part component as a whole, as well as to the inner cup-shaped portion of the two-or more part component.
The dip cup method involves the use of an application device having a dip cup which is (in the case of the single-part component) or has (in the case of a two-or more part component) a cup portion with an open top end that extends along a body to a closed bottom end, that is partially filled with treatment liquid supplied from a reservoir source. This reservoir source may be remote from the dip cup, in which case the application device typically comprises a handheld wand or lance, one end of which is connected directly or indirectly to the dip cup. The treatment liquid is typically conveyed from the remote source through one or more fluid flow tubes associated with the wand or lance and into the cup portion. Alternatively, the reservoir source may be a rigid container that is connected either directly or indirectly to the closed bottom end of the cup portion; again the treatment liquid is conveyed from the rigid container into the cup portion via one or more fluid flow tubes. In both cases the liquid may be urged from the reservoir source using for example a vacuum-operated pump, a peristaltic pump, a stirrup pump or using compressed air. Any of the pumps used with the application device may be manually or electrically operated. Further alternatively, a flexible squeeze container that is connected directly or indirectly to the closed bottom end of the cup portion may provide the reservoir source. In this latter case, when treatment liquid is required in the cup portion, the flexible squeeze container is manually, or otherwise, squeezed and a supply of the treatment liquid is conveyed along one or more fluid flow tubes to an outlet located within the cup portion. In the later versions of this arrangement, commonly called the “non-return dip cup”, the outlet is often located above the desired level of treatment liquid so that air (and not treatment liquid) is then sucked back along the fluid flow tube(s) when the squeeze on the reservoir container is released.
To operate the dip cup method, the dairy farmer simply needs to introduce an appropriate quantity of treatment liquid into the cup portion of the dip cup using one of the above techniques and then position the filled dip cup under an animal's teat, raise the dip cup up to submerge the teat in the treatment liquid contained within the cup portion, then lower the dip cup and remove it from under the teat. This operation may be repeated on as many teats as required and the amount of treatment liquid may be replenished to maintain the appropriate quantity in the cup portion of the dip cup.
As would be expected, when the teat is submerged, a portion of the treatment liquid is displaced, causing the level of liquid to rise within the cup portion. Clearly, if too much treatment liquid is used, it will be displaced so that it overflows out of the open top end of the dip cup. However, it is important that the level of liquid is sufficient to enable the whole of the teat to be submerged in the treatment liquid. Thus it is known to provide a dip cup whose cup portion has a full circumferential extension of a portion of its body adjacent to the open top end, to form wider ring-shaped portion towards the open top end of the cup portion. This wider ring effectively acts as an overflow area into which teat treatment liquid is displaced when the animal's teat enters the dip cup. If the cup portion is overfilled, and more chemical is dispensed than is required, the surplus chemical moves up into this wider ring area and the dip cup is prevented from overflowing.
Some treatment liquids, especially those used pre-milking, have a viscosity close to that of water. This has the advantage that they are easily pumped along the fluid flow tube(s) from the reservoir source into the cup portion, but this low viscosity also causes a problem because the speed of delivery is often too fast and this causes the treatment liquid to splash out of the open top end of the dip cup before it has a chance to run down into the cup portion. A splash-guard such as that described in EPO 869 748 provides a partial solution to this problem but this also creates further difficulties in terms of ease of cleaning, manufacture and use, and the fact that the arrangement described increases the overall depth of the dip cup which means the teat has to be inserted a long way down into the cup portion of the dip cup before it comes into contact with fluid.
As described above, dip cups typically comprise one or more fluid flow tubes for conveying the treatment liquid from the reservoir source into the cup portion. Generally such tubes are made of a plastic material such as PVC because this can be readily extruded into the desired tube shape. Unfortunately however, the chemicals in the usual treatment liquids tend to cause PVC to harden and crack, and the operator must periodically replace the tubes to avoid failure of the application device. This type of fluid flow tube also suffers from the disadvantage that it has a fairly narrow bore diameter which not only makes blockage a likely problem but also means that it is difficult to clean. Another problem with the narrow bore fluid flow tubes is that when a viscous treatment liquid such as a barrier liquid, used for post milking is used, more effort or work is needed to urge it from the reservoir source along the fluid flow tube and into the cup portion. This is particularly an issue when a hand operable flexible squeeze container is used as the reservoir source. Moreover, it is quite obvious that the rate at which viscous treatment liquids are able to fill the cup portion is slow and this has a direct effect on the efficiency of the dip cup method. To overcome these difficulties, it is possible to purchase an application device with two or more fluid flow tubes in parallel, but this, of course, only multiplies the failure rate due to cracking, blocking and difficulties with cleaning as noted above. Yet another problem with the fluid flow tube(s) currently in use is that they are a separate component from the rest of the body of the dip cup. This means that the tube(s) need to be fitted into the application device in a separate assembly step from the injection-moulding step used to make the cup portion. Clearly, the manufacturing process could be streamlined if this separate assembly step could be removed from the process.
It is highly desirable, therefore, to make improvements in the design of dip cup application devices, for example, to facilitate a fast fill rate into the cup portion for all viscosities of treatment liquid, thereby to maximise the efficiency of the dip cup method for both pre- and post-milking operations. Further, it is desirable provide a device that reduces splashing when the cup portion is being filled and also a device which obviates the need for a PVC fluid flow tube, which is particularly useful for more viscous treatment liquids. A still further desirable improvement would be to provide a fluid flow tube which is very easy to clean and where the complete cup portion can be made by a single injection-moulding. These and other problems are solved by the present invention.
The present invention concerns an application device for treating the teats of animals with a liquid. The device comprises a cup portion and, when the device is ready for use, a supply of treatment liquid. The supply of treatment liquid may be achieved using any known means for example, as described above using a remote reservoir source or a reservoir source provided by a rigid or flexible container or bottle connected directly or indirectly for example using a screw or bayonet or any other suitable connector with the cup portion.
The present invention therefore provides an application device for treating the teats of animals with a liquid, the device comprising i) a cup portion having internal and external surfaces, an upper open first end capable of receiving an animal teat and a lower closed second end; ii) a fluid supply conduit having an outlet through which the liquid is conveyed into the cup portion; wherein the cross-sectional area of the outlet is greater than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the fluid supply conduit.
Ensuring that the cross-sectional area of the outlet is greater than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the fluid supply conduit not only enables the treatment liquid to be dispensed into the cup portion at a faster rate, it also prevents the build up of back pressure within the fluid supply conduit. This back pressure has the tendency to cause the treatment liquid to spurt in an uncontrolled jet from the outlet and be likely to shoot out of the upper open first end of the cup portion. Thus the provision of an outlet with a cross-sectional area greater than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the fluid supply conduit is a key feature for improving the speed and efficiency that the cup portion can be replenished, and this benefit is obtained for a wide range of viscosities of treatment liquid, for example treatment liquids that range from non-viscous to substantially thicker than water and/or thixotropic.
As described above, there are a number of problems associated with the use of separate fluid flow tubes in the application devices currently available. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes all of these by taking the above application device and modifying it such that it comprises a fluid supply conduit that is defined at least in part by a portion of the external surface of the cup portion. Preferably, an outlet in the fluid supply conduit is located within the cup portion and towards the upper open first end of the cup portion, and it is through this outlet that the treatment liquid is dispensed into the cup portion. The outlet of the fluid supply conduit of this embodiment will of course have a cross-sectional area greater than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the fluid supply conduit. It is particularly desirable that the outlet directs the treatment liquid outwards away from the centre of the cup portion, i.e. the outlet directs the treatment liquid towards the internal surface of the cup portion. Several significant advantages can be realised by having a fluid supply conduit that is defined at least in part by a portion of the external surface of the cup portion. Firstly, the fluid supply conduit is made of the same material as the rest of the cup portion therefore there is not the problem that it is made of PVC or any other material that is liable to hardening and cracking. Secondly, being defined at least in part by the external surface of the cup portion, the fluid supply conduit is easily injection-moulded with the cup portion as a single component; that is, there is no need for a separate assembly step to position a fluid flow tube within the application device. Thirdly, and very importantly, there is much less restriction on the cross-section of the bore of the fluid supply conduit; it can be made much larger than is currently the case for conventional fluid flow tubes. This contributes to making it easier to ensure a speedy delivery of the more viscous barrier-type treatment liquids into the cup portion.
A typical rate of fill for treatment liquids is in the range 2 to 5 seconds.
The increased size of the cross-sectional area of the outlet relative to the cross-sectional area of the fluid supply conduit can be achieved in a number of different ways. For example, the fluid supply conduit can funnel or flare out at the outlet. In a preferred embodiment the outlet may be formed by cutting the end of the fluid supply conduit at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the fluid supply conduit. The shape of the outlet in this case would be determined by the internal profile of the fluid supply conduit, and where the fluid supply conduit is formed at least in part by the external surface of the cup portion, the outlet shape may be further determined by the overall profile of the cup portion. In a further preferred embodiment, the shape of the outlet is that of a half ellipse and this results in its cross-sectional area being over 60% more than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the fluid supply conduit.
The problem of the treatment liquid splashing out of the open top end of the cup portion before it has a chance to flow down into the body of the cup portion, can be further addressed by optionally providing the application device of the present invention with a baffle device adjacent the outlet in the fluid supply conduit, this baffle device is adapted to deflect the liquid as it exits the outlet in the fluid supply conduit either clockwise and/or counter-clockwise around the internal surface of the cup portion.
The baffle device is preferably provided as part of the internal surface of the cup portion and it is particularly preferred if this baffle feature is formed by moulding it, for example by injection-moulding, on the internal surface of the cup portion at the same time as the rest of the cup portion is made. The baffle device is most advantageously provided adjacent to the outlet and preferably directly opposite the outlet. Further preferably the baffle device is shaped, for example as a flat barrier wall, which may be curved or V-shaped or profiled in some other way such that it is adapted to deflect the treatment liquid as it exits the outlet in the fluid supply conduit to prevent it from splashing out of the upper open top end of the cup portion. Still further preferably the baffle is adapted to direct the treatment liquid that exits the outlet around the internal surface of the cup portion so as to dissipate it as quickly as possible. This provides further optional additional means to facilitate efficient and speedy fill of the cup portion.
Although parallel-sided, non-tapering cup portions may be used, it is highly preferred that the sides of the cup portion taper inwards towards the lower closed second end as this assists to direct the teat being dipped into the treatment liquid. It is also advantageous if the cup portion has a full circumferential extension of the portion of its body at or near to its upper open first end, to form a wider ring-shaped portion at or near the upper open first end of the cup portion. Preferably, such a cup portion with a full circumferential extension is used in combination with a baffle device of the present invention. Using an application device of the present invention with an optional baffle device, the treatment liquid is directed to run both clockwise and counter clockwise around the ring-shaped portion. This not only promotes efficient and speedy filling of the cup portion without any splashing out of the upper open first end but also ensures the treatment liquid washes and disinfects the inside of the cup portion thereby reducing bacterial contamination.
In a preferred application device of the present invention a reservoir source is provided from which teat treatment liquid is supplied. A container connected either directly or indirectly to the lower closed second end of the cup portion can provide the reservoir source, or alternatively the reservoir source can be provided remotely from the cup portion and the teat treatment liquid can be supplied via a hand-held lance. In the latter case, the hand-held lance is connected to an end of the fluid supply conduit remote from the outlet therein. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal axis of the container or the lance (depending on which form of reservoir source is being used) is aligned such that it runs substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cup portion. Further preferably, the longitudinal axis of the container or lance is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the external surface of the cup portion that defines the fluid supply conduit. In the latter case, and where the cup portion is also tapered inwards towards its lower closed second end, the device is slightly angled in a way that allows an ergonomic swinging motion of the hand to present the cup portion of the application device to the animal's teats.
To further ensure that treatment liquid does not splash out of the upper open first end of the cup portion, the application device of the present invention may further optionally be provided with a splash guard. The splash guard is conveniently positioned on the rim of the upper open first end of the cup portion, and comprises a flat cover portion which when in position on the cup portion, overhangs and projects radially inwards of the rim to partially close the upper open first end of the cup portion. The upper open first end is not closed too much however, and is still able to receive the animal teat when the treatment device is in use. For maximum anti-splashing benefit it is particularly advantageous if the cover portion overhangs the rim i.e. it extends towards the middle of the upper open first end and is sufficient to overhang the outlet. However, it is not necessary for the cover portion to extend this much all the way around the rim; for example the cover portion may extend and overhang one or more sections only of the rim. In the case where the cover portion only extends to overhang the outlet, the cup portion may be “D” shaped in plan when looking straight down on the cup portion from above. Optionally, where two of more outlets are present, the cover portion will not be restricted to a single extended overhang portion. If the cover portion does not sufficiently overhang the outlet then problems may occur with the cover portion itself providing an edge that will direct the treatment liquid in an uncontrolled manner out of the open first end of the cup portion. As an additional protection against splashing, the rim of the cup portion may be thickened in one or more places. Preferably, the overall height of the application device of the present invention where a remote reservoir source is used, is substantially equal to the height of a conventional application device that uses a rigid or flexible container as a reservoir source. This makes it easy for the operator to position the application device under the animal's teats.
The application device of the present invention preferably has a hook or similar means to enable it to be hung up in some way, so that the operator can put the application device down, for example, so that he can have both hands free perform another task, but still have the device within easy reach. In the preferred arrangement where the longitudinal axis of the cup portion is substantially aligned in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the container or lance, the hook or similar means is advantageously positioned close to the upper open first end of the cup portion and on the exterior surface thereof. In this way, the application device can be maintained in an up-right orientation to prevent treatment liquid from spilling out of the upper open end of the cup portion. This provides a particular benefit over many of the prior art dip cups, as it is necessary to ensure that these are empty before attempting to hang them up, otherwise spillage may occur.
The present invention also provides the advantage that contaminated or otherwise unwanted liquid can easily be removed from the cup portion, without the need for dismantling the application device first. To achieve this, the application device of the present invention is simply turned over to orient the cup portion upside down and the unwanted liquid is tipped out of the upper open first end of the cup portion.
In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an application device includes a flow regulator comprising for example a valve of some kind, for controlling the rate at which treatment liquid is delivered into the cup portion. The flow regulator is adjustable between a fully open position, a series of incrementally increased closed positions and a fully closed position, to permit, progressively slow and stop, respectively, the flow of the liquid. When a remote reservoir source is in use, the valve is preferably moveable between its various positions using a manually operable lever or screw associated for example with the handle on the lance. Alternatively, the flow regulator comprises a venturi-type restriction introduced between the container or lance (depending upon whether a container or a remote reservoir source is being used) and the lower closed second end of the cup portion. Further alternatively the pressure may be controlled by a stand-alone regulator or any such regulation devices known in the art.
The view of the cup portion shown in
A baffle 34 is formed on the internal surface 12, adjacent the outlet 32. This is described in more detail below with the aid of
In use, the application device shown in
The view shown in
It will be appreciated from the Figures and the above description that the fluid supply conduit extends between the source of treatment liquid at a first end and, at a second end, an outlet 32 located near to the upper open first end 16 of the cup portion. For most of its length the fluid supply conduit 22 is aligned with and is defined in part by both the external surface 14 and by the internal surface 12 of the cup portion 10. However, the fluid supply conduit 22 has a further end section 100 which is a continuation of the fluid supply conduit 22 and forms the second end thereof. The end section 100 is not defined by the external surface 14 but has an outer wall 110 and an inner wall 120 and is visible from the full circumferential extension 26, moreover, the upper section 100 protrudes upwards towards the upper open first end 16 of the cup portion 10 and stops at a point below the rim 17 of the cup portion 10.
The end section 100 has formed within it an outlet 32 which is formed by cutting the walls 110 and 120 of the end section 100 at an angle “e” to the longitudinal axis of the fluid supply conduit 22. Outlet 32 is therefore defined by an edge portion 130 of the inner wall 120 and said edge portion 130 is formed by the cross-sectional material of the end section 100.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0916945.9 | Sep 2009 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2010/051622 | 9/28/2010 | WO | 00 | 3/23/2012 |
